Cycle Safety: Engaging and Immersive Training for Construction Lorry DriversAn innovative solution to stop cyclist deaths
Transport for London and Walkgrove Ltd have collaborated to create a groundbreaking training program aimed at construction lorry drivers. This immersive experience utilizes 3D graphics and interactive elements to address the most common cause of fatalities involving lorries and cyclists in London - cycling up the inside of a left-turning construction vehicle.
Inspired by the film Sliding Doors, the training program transports learners to a 3D urban environment based at a busy junction. Through the perspectives of the driver, the cyclist, and the objective CCTV, learners are able to assess what went wrong by interviewing the two protagonists. They also receive advice from a traffic officer and report to a policeman. By starting and ending the narrative in a cafe, the story concludes with a changed outcome, similar to the concept in Sliding Doors.
The on-screen experience is designed to be engaging and immersive, resembling a modern computer game. It features brevity, variety, and arresting 3D visuals, supported by an audio soundtrack. The aim is to attract and immerse learners, making the training experience more effective and memorable.
The training program, developed using HTML and 3D graphics, is accessible through a range of browsers on desktops. It is not a physical product, but a software product specifically designed for screen-based learning. The 20-minute experience is aimed at HGV drivers, providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills to prevent accidents involving cyclists.
The development of this training program took six months and involved collaboration with subject matter experts from Transport for London. The team included instructional designers, graphic artists, voiceover artists, and project managers. The biggest challenge was ensuring the accuracy of the incident portrayed in the training, while maintaining unbiased language and tone.
This innovative solution has received recognition in the form of the Bronze A' Design Award in 2016. The award acknowledges outstanding and creatively ingenious designs that contribute to quality of life improvements. By incorporating best practices in art, science, design, and technology, this training program is making a significant impact in preventing cyclist fatalities and making the roads safer for everyone.
Project Details and Credits
Project Designers: Transport for London and Walkgrove Ltd
Image Credits: Transport for London and Walkgrove Ltd
Project Team Members: Transport for London is the commissioner
Walkgrove Ltd is the designer and developer
Project Name: Cycle Safety
Project Client: Transport for London and Walkgrove Ltd